Thing 7

7. Read 50 comics/graphic novels

I had a DC Comics morning:

31. Batman 11 (September 2012) "The Epic Finale of the Court of Owls!"

32. Green Lantern 0 (October 1994) "The Beginning of Tomorrow!"

 

Progress: 32/50

Thing 16

16. Complete 5 merit badges in You Can Do It: the Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-up Girls

I decided that this goal was a little too large. Also, after my stomach hurt the day after I started my first badge, I came to the conclusion that I should revise my expectations for this one a little bit. I'm going to allow myself to complete the easy-to-me badges--the badges I've already sort of accomplished through my previous and current activities. Besides, they're still badges in the book, so they're fair game. Why not start with the easy ones? Otherwise I'll have a book full of blanks that I could fill in but haven't. I really think this is the best solution.



Badge #59: Give a Little Bit *volunteering*
Step 1- Decide what you have to give- time (4-5 hours a week) DONE
Step 2- Find a cause you can get behind- books/literacy volunteering at two libraries DONE
Step 3- Honor your commitment- my volunteering is a responsibility DONE
Step 4- Make sure it feels good when you do good- I love my volunteer shifts. They clear my mind and put me in a happy state of zen DONE
Step 5- Pass it on- I'm counting the way my work has helped me with the HPA and me sharing experiences on my blog DONE
Status: Complete!


Badge #16: Go World Wide *building a web site*
Step 1: Decide what kind of site to build- I've got a lot of websites already DONE
Step 2: Plan your site- I actually like to draw out my sites before starting work on them DONE
Step 3: Choose your host- I've got several (awww, this book mentions GeoCities and Tripod) DONE
Step 4: Name that Web site- Titles are always the hardest for me, but in the end I just pick something and try to not regret it DONE
Step 5: Enter the construction zone- I'd say I know how to build webpages. I don't know everything and I'm still a little behind where I'd like to be with MySQL, but I can definitely create a website DONE
Step 6: Refine your site- I'd say redesigning the website at work counts for this in spades DONE
Status: Complete!


Badge #27: Get Well-Read *book lover*
Step 1: Pick your subject- I like a little of everything, but YA is definitely my poison DONE
Step 2: Go blank- I have a blog I use as a reading journal DONE
Step 3: Read something tried and true- I've definitely read some classics, the most recent being The House of the Seven Gables DONE
Step 4: Join the crowd- I've been a part of several book discussion groups. In fact, I'm hosting a book discussion in an hour and a half. So I do definitely read some of the popular books (I learned my lesson with Harry Potter) DONE
Step 5: Discover a hidden gem- I love when I get a book recommendatin for a book and I've never heard of the book before but I completely fall in love DONE
Step 6: Read on- I'm counting the Carpe Librum and District 13 swap-bot groups for this one. I'm definitely absorbed in the book-related worlds I most enjoy DONE
Status: Complete!


Badge #13: Be an Author *writing*
Step 1- Write right away- I've definitely got a writing journal DONE
Step 2- Learn your craft- I've got a minor in creative writing and a writer's roundtable group for feedback DONE
Step 3- Get a writing life- Certainly it would help if I had more structure, but sometimes I'm more inspired than other times. I am sure I average more than the 7 hours a week this book is suggesting DONE
Step 4- Stay inspired- I've figured out what works for me when I get stuck, and I have some new methods of being inspired DONE
Step 5- Revise- I'm not so great at this step overall. But editing more than a handful of stories is a major goal for 2014, so I'm not counting this as done yet
Step 6- Write "The End"- the book wants me to finish with a flourish! I'm not sure how flourishy any of my finishes are... so I'm not going to count this as done yet either
Status: in progress


Badge #32: Stretch Yourself *yoga*
Step 1- Explore your options- tried and failed. It didn't do for me what I was hoping it would. Plus, my stomach started hurting the day after and I haven't felt like being physical since. So... FAILED
Status: Giving up on this goal. I really don't think yoga is right for me. I'll stick to meditation and volunteering at the library if I want to be zen. I'll try a different badge

Progress: 3/5 (with one more in progress and one abandoned)

Thing 11

11. Catch up on Gabaldon series to-date (re-read & read for the first time)

The Scottish Prisoner
by Diana Gabaldon
Status: Finished; read for the first time

I really enjoyed this book, despite problems with the specific audio version I had. I have a paper copy and have already dog eared a bunch of pages (a habit I got into when I realized back in the late '90s that I was rereading certain passages in this books dozens of times over and having to hunt for them each time was driving me crazy). It really revived my love for the characters and my desire to start properly reading this series through again. I miss them :-) I also wish I could watch the Starz miniseries coming out this year, but I'll have to wait for the DVD of it... and there's plenty to read in the meantime!

More thoughts about the book in my review: http://katekintailbc.livejournal.com/160190.html

Progress: 1/10 (I think I'm counting correctly?)